“Please keep an eye out for anything that resembles a large clump of sticks …”
After powerful storms swept across Pennsylvania, wildlife rehabilitation centers received a surge of emergency calls about animals displaced by the severe weather.
One of those calls came from a homeowner who was inspecting storm damage on their property when they noticed something unexpected beneath several fallen trees.
Nestled on the ground were two tiny hawk chicks whose nest had been destroyed when the storm brought down the tree they had been living in.
“Two nestling hawks … had been found on the ground after several large trees fell in the finder’s yard,” Raven Ridge Wildlife Center (RRWC) shared on Facebook.
The Young Hawks Narrowly Escape Disaster
From a distance, the baby hawks looked like small fluffy balls resting among the branches.
Although the tree holding their nest had crashed to the ground, the chicks miraculously survived the fall without any visible injuries.
Even more remarkable, they landed in a spot where the homeowner was able to notice them before it was too late.
“Thankfully, they were discovered in time, as they were small enough that their large nest could have hidden them, and they might not have been found,” RRWC wrote.
A Race Against Time
After receiving the call, wildlife rehabilitators at RRWC instructed the homeowner on how to safely pick up the nestlings and place them in a secure box for transport.
Because the chicks were extremely young, they could not regulate their own body temperature and needed immediate professional care.
Rather than driving directly to RRWC, the homeowner was asked to take the birds to the closer West Shore Wildlife Center (WSWC), where they could receive emergency treatment right away.
“It was urgent to get the hawks out of the storm and to the nearest rehab facility for evaluation and stabilization, as they were unable to maintain their body heat on their own and needed to be placed in an incubator,” RRWC explained.
Recovering With Expert Care
The baby hawks remained at West Shore Wildlife Center until they were stable enough to continue their rehabilitation elsewhere.
Once they had regained their strength, they were transferred to Raven Ridge Wildlife Center, where they are now receiving specialized care.
Fortunately, a full examination revealed that neither chick had suffered injuries during the storm.
“Fortunately, the two hawks had no injuries and were transferred to our facility for continued care until they are ready to be released,” RRWC said.
Growing Stronger Every Day
The young siblings are now thriving under the care of the RRWC team, who continue to monitor and feed them around the clock.
As they mature and learn the skills they need to survive, the goal is to eventually return them to the wild, where they belong.
Their successful release will mark the happy ending to a rescue that could have turned out very differently.
A Reminder to Watch for Wildlife After Storms
Following severe weather, Raven Ridge Wildlife Center is encouraging anyone cleaning up fallen trees or branches to remain alert for hidden wildlife.
Bird nests, baby mammals, and other young animals can easily be concealed beneath storm debris, making careful inspections especially important.
“As cleanup continues and fallen trees are being cut apart and removed, please keep an eye out for anything that resembles a large clump of sticks, light-colored fuzz, or even the sounds of peeping or chirping coming from the debris,” RRWC advised.
Two Tiny Lives Saved
For these young hawks, being discovered when they were made all the difference.
The homeowner’s quick thinking, combined with the coordinated efforts of two wildlife rehabilitation centers, gave the siblings the chance to recover and eventually return to their natural home.
“Time is critical for some of these animals, and getting them to a licensed rehabilitation center could be a matter of life or death,” RRWC wrote.
Thanks to one observant homeowner and dedicated wildlife rescuers, two vulnerable hawks now have the opportunity to soar through the skies once again.